Czechia vs Ireland – Match preview and team news
Czechia vs Ireland – Match preview and team news Czechia and the Republic of Ireland go head-to-head in a FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA qualifying play-off semi-final in Prague on Thursday. Both sides know a win at the Fortuna Arena would move them to within one game of securing a place at the finals. The victor set to host either Denmark or North Macedonia in a play-off final next week.
Czechia vs Ireland – Match preview and team news Date: Thursday, 26th March. Kick-off: 7:45pm BST. Venue: Fortuna Arena, Praha.
Czechia team news Czechia will once again lean on seasoned campaigners Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, while Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick is expected to lead the line having scored four goals in six qualifiers to date. Experienced winger Vaclav Cerny has declined a call-up for family reasons, and Celtic striker Tomas Cvancara has been left out of the squad, with coach Miroslav Koubek openly questioning his level of commitment. Adam Hlozek remains absent as he continues to struggle with a fitness problem.
Uncapped goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek has been drafted in after catching the eye during Braga’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals. Ireland team news Heimir Hallgrimsson, recently rewarded with a new contract after Ireland’s impressive end to their World Cup qualifying campaign, is remaining faithful to the same core principles that carried his side into the play-offs. With a fully fit squad at his disposal, he is expected to line Ireland up in a similar fashion to the games against Portugal and Hungary.
However, Ireland will be without Festy Ebosele and Liam Scales, who are suspended. Ryan Manning may replace the latter at left wing-back. Troy Parrott is set to spearhead the attack once again, while the vastly experienced Seamus Coleman is poised to start in defence, even if he is not yet ready to complete the full 90 minutes.